Late last year, a team of coders found a way to strip the WM DRM system from media files, allowing playback of said media on any device, with a tool called FairUse4WM. Claiming the creator of the tool had infringed on copyright laws, Microsoft launched a formal lawsuit on "Viodentia," the creator of FairUse4WM after a fix was released but was quickly cracked again. Microsoft failed to find "Viodentia" after several months of searching and has submitted a Notice of Dismissal, removing all claims against "Viodentia". According to the dimissal, Microsoft said: "Please take notice that plaintiff Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft) respectfully dismisses all of its claims, without prejudice, against John Does 1-10 a/k/a "viodentia." Microsoft was unable to locate these defendants through discovery and therefore could not serve them with process."

Bill Gates stated publicly late last year that he was against DRM, and that removing DRM from media and devices ultimately benefits the consumer. Recently, Paul Thurrott reported that Microsoft would offer DRM-free music.Coincidence or completely unrelated?